Libya water plant project in final phase
24 July 2023
A project to develop a seawater desalination facility near Libya’s Zawiya refinery is entering its final phase and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, according to industry sources.
One source said: “All that needs to be done now is the final part of the installation, test run, commission and hand over.”
The client on the project is Tripoli-based Akakus Oil Operations (AOO), formerly known as Repsol Oil Operations.
The desalination plant will service AOO’s tank farm, which is used to store oil from the El-Sharara oil field before it is loaded onto tankers and exported.
The desalination project is being executed by Zulal Water Technology, a Libyan registered company with its headquarters in Tripoli.
The project is being executed using the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model.
Raising production
Earlier this month, AOO invited companies to prequalify for a contract to develop the El-Sharara oil field as it looks to increase production at the site.
This project will also use the EPC model and its scope will include installing and connecting new flowlines, gathering stations and surface facilities.
AOO operates two concessions in the Murzuq Basin in the southwestern area of the Libyan Desert, near the Akakus Mountains and the city of Ubari.
One is the NC-115 concession area, which is about 1,000 kilometres (km) south of Tripoli, and the second is the NC-186 concession area, which is located 30km from the NC-115 concession area.
The two concessions are collectively known as the El-Sharara field.
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